The 37 year old Chatham Water Treatment Plant, which serves residential and commercial customers in the South West Trinidad, from La Brea through Point Fortin and down to Erin, is being upgraded.
The Minister of Public Utilities, Colm Imbert, highlighted the details of the upgrade at a Sod-Turning Ceremony for the project on Tuesday.
“This project, valued at US$4.69 million, which is over TT$30 million, will result in a comprehensive upgrade of the existing plant. This includes the construction of a new high-rate clarifier, a new aerator, a dedicated chemical room along with significant structural and process upgrades across the facility.”
The Minister said the Chatham project and several other water projects are being facilitated by a ten-year Inter-American Development Bank loan.
“Due to the present condition of assets, production has been reduced to approximately 1.8 million gallons per day, and it has become challenging to maintain the design capacity and reliability of services to the customers served by this treatment plant.”
Minister Imbert stated that the project will boost the plant’s current water production volume by 67%.
“Once this project is complete, the treatment plant will be capable of treating three million gallons per day, significantly boosting output and stabilising supply across its catchment area.”
He noted that this will allow the residents being served by the plant to receive 24 hours of pipe-borne water three days per week.
“Projects which are planned for later commencement in 2025 include drilling of more wells in Chatham, drilling of eight additional wells in the Carapal and Palo Seco area, upgrade of the Carapal Water Treatment Plant, drilling of a well in Morne Diablo, installation of 2.5 kilometres of pipeline in Salazar Trace again, installation of 2.4 kilometres of pipeline along Palo Seco Beach Road.”
The new Public Utilities Minister applauded the work done by his predecessor, Marvin Gonzales, noting that during his tenure more than one million gallons of additional water per day had been delivered to customers in South Trinidad.